ORLANDO, Fla. — NXT opened on a chaotic scene in the Full Sail University parking lot, where cameras caught the aftermath of a mysterious attack on SAnitY and NXT security guards. Percy Watson speculated that the ambush was committed by dangerous interlopers Adam Cole, Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly.

It was against that ominous backdrop that new NXT Champion Drew McIntyre appeared in the ring for the first time since TakeOver: Brooklyn III, where he won the title but also fell victim to Cole & Co.’s sneak attack. Acknowledging the target his back, McIntyre issued a mission statement. He said he’s willing to defend the title against anyone who is man enough to stare him in the eye and challenge him to a fight.

Enter Roderick Strong. With his long-awaited grudge-settling match against former NXT Champion Bobby Roode scheduled for later in the hour, The Messiah of the Backbreaker made his championship ambitions known. McIntyre seemed to welcome the challenge, which he said was issued “like a man.” But he also warned Strong that he’d better get ready to “be knocked out like a man.”